If you are healthy, have no other medical conditions, do not smoke, and are not breastfeeding, taking birth control pills long-term is generally safe and does not significantly impact your health.
Medical experts advise against birth control pills for certain women, including smokers over 35, those with specific medical conditions (such as blood clotting disorders or uncontrolled high blood pressure), and some types of birth control pills are not recommended for women who are breastfeeding.
Some studies suggest that long-term use of birth control pills may increase the risk of certain cancers, such as cervical and liver cancer. However, birth control pills can also reduce the risk of other cancers, such as ovarian and endometrial cancer. The impact of birth control pills on breast cancer risk is still unclear.
Stopping and starting birth control pills intermittently does not significantly change these effects and may increase the risk of unintended pregnancy. Therefore, medical experts generally do not recommend this practice.